"Most studies on horses and leadership are focused on equine assisted learning (EAL) programs designed to teach leadership. However, there is little research done on how horse programs outside of planned EAL programs impact youth learning leadership skills. The purpose of this mixed methods explanatory study was to identify the impacts of having significant interactions with horses during youth on horse association members’ authentic leadership competencies. The four major research questions included: What are the equine experiences of the horse association members?; What are the self-perceived authentic leadership competencies of the horse association members?; What are the leadership experiences and values of the horse association members?; How did equine experiences from the horse association members’ youth influence their authentic leadership competencies? The study was grounded in the theory of experiential learning and the theory of authentic leadership. Participants completed the authentic leadership questionnaire to give a better understanding of their self-perceived leadership competencies. From there, a convenience sample of participants was interviewed to have them describe their horse experiences during youth, their leadership competencies, and how those developed through their lives. The data was coded and analyzed using the core concepts of authentic leadership. Findings indicated that participants were able to connect their horse experiences from youth to their authentic leadership competencies. They also supported the idea that leadership skills learned with horses can transfer to be skills needed to lead people. Finally, several recommendations were made for practice and future research in this field."

- Caitlin Lunzmann (thesis abstract, 2023)